What are the differences between a traditional hi-fi setup and an all-in-one music system?
We live in an age of tech clutter, where endless gadgets seem to inhabit every part of the home and each comes with its own jumble of wires. Traditional hi-fi systems were the forebearer of such mess, comprising multiple boxes and associated tangles of assorted cables. You’ve probably wished for a simpler way to enjoy music, with a smaller footprint but still with the great sound. The solution? An all-in-one music system.
What are the differences between a traditional hi-fi setup and an all-in-one music system?
When creating a traditional hi-fi setup, you’ll need three things – your source, your amplifier and your speakers.
The source is the start of your musical chain. Whether you’re an avid CD collector, passionate about LPs or constantly blast your favourite tunes over Spotify, your source can be anything from a turntable, streamer or CD player.
Once you’ve started to build your musical chain, the next thing you need is power. This comes in the form of an amplifier which, as the name suggests, amplifies the music coming from your source. The amplifier acts as the middleman between your CD player or turntable and your speakers ensuring you (but hopefully not your neighbours!) can hear everything.
Lastly, the third and final feature of a traditional hi-fi set up is the speakers. Transforming the amplified sound, speakers come in all shapes and sizes, from dinky bookshelf speakers to massive floorstanding models.
A different approach is, an all-in-one music system like our R410 Integrated Music System or R810 High Fidelity Radiogram, which combine everything you need into one neat little package.
Now, there’s no need to figure out which components are compatible or how to connect everything. You just turn it on and start listening, whether that’s via the radio, Apple Airplay or Google Cast. A complete audio setup packaged into a single, stylish box. No extra wires. No separate speakers. Just plug it in and you’re good to go!
Why choose an all-in-one music system?
Compact, easy to use and surprisingly powerful, the all-in-one music system is the go-to for many music listeners. Convenience is king and with everything you could ever dream of combined into a single unit, these systems are a no-fuss solution for everyone, whether you love streaming your favourite new bands or want to sit glued to the radio while the football is on.
All-in-one systems are ideal for the everyday music listener. Often designed with aesthetics in mind and coming at a much more affordable price point compared to many traditional high-end hi-fi setups, all-in-one music systems are not only a striking home accessory but an easy entry point for newcomers on the hi-fi scene.
Take the R410 Integrated Music System, a key product in our Ruark 100 Series. It aims to provide all the connectivity a customer is ever likely to need. As well as incorporating lots of wonderful built-in streaming sources – including Spotify Connect, TIDAL Connect and Qobuz Connect, along with internet radio and DAB/DAB+ plus FM tuners – you can also plug in a variety of external sources if you so wish.
You can connect Ruark’s R-CD100 CD player via the USB-C, a turntable through dedicated phono inputs, or even a TV via the HDMI ARC/eARC input, which takes watching TV to a completely new level with its expansive sound.
Our final thoughts
If you’re after a clean, modern way to enjoy your music with minimal setup and maximum versatility, an all-in-one music system might be exactly what you need. Great sound, good looks, and everything in one box? Sounds like a win to us.
Plus, to mark the launch of Qobuz Connect in all our 100 Series products, including the R410, we’re thrilled to be giving away one R410 Integrated Music System and a 1-year subscription to Qobuz! Head to our competition page to be in with a chance to win.
